You’ve been told about needing to increase your intake of calcium to fortify your bones and teeth. But do you know you need to get a daily dose of Vitamin D, too, to make sure that calcium is absorbed properly into your bloodstream? For years, most of us assumed we’d be fine if we drank a little milk and took a daily multivitamin. But recent studies report that regimen leads to a Vitamin D deficiency, and those deficiencies may well be causing numerous illnesses, including cancer.
These studies indicate that people may need up to 10 times more Vitamin D than what is currently recommended to facilitate optimum health. Proper Vitamin D dosage gives you a better chance of preventing many serious illnesses, including heart disease and hypertension, depression, obesity, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis and many more.
Do you have a Vitamin D deficiency? Consider these symptoms:
- Fatigue, joint pain and/or swelling
- Muscle pain, cramping and/or weakness
- Chronic pain
- Uncontrolled weight gain
- High blood pressure
- Restless sleep
- Poor concentration and memory
- Headaches
- Bowel problems (constipation, diarrhea)
- Bladder problems (urgency, frequency).
If your child has a Vitamin D deficiency, they might exhibit these symptoms:
- Severe “growing pains,” joint pain or swelling
- Poor stamina or decreased activity
- Scoliosis and other bone and joint deformities
- Recurring infections
- Frequent cavities and/or gum disease and tonsillitis
- Some forms of asthma.
To determine your exact Vitamin D levels, a blood test is required. You can have this test and receive guidance about how to supplement your Vitamin D levels by calling the Faculty/Staff Wellness Office at x5569.
One way you can be proactive and increase your Vitamin D levels are to expose your arms, legs and face in the summer months to sunlight near midday for 20 minutes, three times a week (hence why it’s called the sunshine vitamin!). Also, incorporate into your diet foods such as cold-water fish (herring, salmon, halibut, mackerel, tuna, etc.), dairy (cheese, butter, cream and milk), eggs (preferably from free-range chickens), dried shiitake mushrooms, oysters and cod-liver oil.
By Cindy Novak, Wellness Coordinator